Is it safe to use cefalexin during pregnancy?
cefalexin is an antibiotic commonly used to treat a number of bacterial infections in the body from the chest infection to the urinary tract infection (UTI). The United States of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the drug in category B, which means that the fetus may not have any risk if it is accepted during pregnancy according to animal tests. Since 2011, there are no controlled studies on cefalexin during pregnancy for people, but what is known suggests that there are in fact potential risks.
Drugs marked as categories B usually do not show any levels of toxicity in unborn children or create genetic abnormalities according to animal studies. However, it should be noted that it is normal for humans and animals to respond to certain drugs differently. Although there have been no controlled studies on the effect of cefalexin in pregnancy since 2011, some uncontrolled data suggest that there may actually be a risk associated with cefalexin.
What research that was doneThe day of cefalexin during pregnancy shows a potential link between antibiotics and congenital and cardiovascular defect. One study is said to confirm that the drug passes into the umbilical cord and into amniotic fluid. Michigan Medicaid data has found several cases of congenital defects in children born to women who used an antibiotic. There were also several cases of cardiovascular defects and one case of cleft palate. It is not known whether these defects were indeed caused by using cefalexin in pregnancy or whether children were susceptible to other factors concerning the mother's health.
The adverse side effects of cefalexin during pregnancy may also be concerned. Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea can cause other problems for pregnant women such as dehydration. Because cephalexin is an antibiotics based on penicillin, it can also cause itching and rash, which may also be a widowing allergic reaction.
Although this antibiotic is generally considered safe for using tP pregnant women, there are potential risks to the fetus as in most drugs during pregnancy. Before receiving cefalexin during pregnancy, it is recommended to contact a medical professional and discuss the need for antibiotics and potential risks of using cefalexin. In the course of antibiotics, it is also recommended to be careful about potential side effects and inform the healthcare professional if they appear.